Arra
Anong next?
Eh di more dates!
At first, there was a bit of awkwardness on my part. Pong asked me "formally" on a date that following Friday.
He was all cute about it. After bringing me home from work, he stopped at my door and asked, "Arra, are you free on Friday?"
"Oo naman. Why?"
"Will you have dinner with me?"
Since he planned something, I wanted to make sure I was prepared for it, too, and did my makeup, wore my best dress and looking smashing (if I do say so myself).
When he picked me up from work, he smiled widely and said, "Wow, you look really nice."
"Thank you! Wait... I hope hindi tayo sa shabu shabu kakain. Mahuhulas 'to."
Pong laughed at that. "Hindi naman but it's a good Japanese restaurant if okay with you?"
"Yes, yes! Been craving for that."
Thankfully, that's the only awkward part. When I'm conscious of this being a new phase and going out being "dates."
In one of our nights out, Pong told me, "Hey, Pauline's birthday is coming up."
"Oo nga pala. We need to get her something."
Our family was often invited to Pauline's birthday celebration so it was a foregone conclusion that I would be there and needed to get her something. However, that was not Pong's point pala. "Yes, but I was thinking do we need to tell our parents?"
"About what?"
"Us?"
I grinned like a fool. Kilig na kilig naman ako sa pa-"Us". "You think we should?
I mean, won't it be too early?"
He thought about it. "I'm not sure how these things go to be honest. You're different kasi."
"Huh?! Anong different?"
"One, we've known each other's families for the longest time. Two, we've been very good friends for just as long as that. Three, we're changing things now. I've never been in this situation before and I don't want to mess up."
I smiled at him. "Thank you. How about we talk to our parents separately, tell them where we are and set their expectations?"
Pong agreed. "Won't your parents want me to formally ask permission?"
"To date? No. But I think they would appreciate it if once in awhile, dun mo ako sa bahay bisitahin."
He nodded in agreement. "Okay. I'll do that then."
Like we discussed, we spoke to our parents separately but predictably our mothers were beyond excited and started calling each other "balae" at dinner.
"Don't worry, balae, sagot namin ang wedding gown and the entourage," my mom volunteered.
"Mommy!" I scolded, looking at Pong apologetically.
"Tita, hindi pa po ako sinasagot ni Arra," he explained.
Tita Zeny, Pong's mom, piped up. "Why kaya, anak? You're pogi naman and mabango. Do you clean your ears baka —"
"Mommmy!" Pong this time said, rubbing his nape.
"Don't worry, Arra hija. I'll check," Tita Zeny promised.
"Tita, okay naman po. We're just being careful about this but we're good," I assured. Looking at Pong, I said, "We're really good."
Pong, who was seated beside me, turned to me fully and asked in a low voice. "We are?"
I nodded, smiling. He grinned and for the first time in a really long time, my whole body tingled. Parang nawiwiwi pero better. I let out a sigh.
Our little bubble was burst when someone started gagging.
When we turned, Pauline looked like she was vomiting.
"Are you okay?" We all asked, her mother stroking her back.
Pauline then righted herself and gave a naughty smile. "Kadiri kasi Arra at Kuya. Ang cheesy! Tapos birthday ko pero agaw eksena."
We both looked horrified. "Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, Pauline!" Pong stood and gave her a back hug which she promptly removed.
"Eeewww, Kuya! Joke lang. Wala naman talaga akong pakialam," she said laughing. But, I saw her ask in a whisper, "You happy?"
Pong grinned widely and nodded.
Pauline smiled back. "Good. Don't hurt her. Imma kill you." Then, she turned to me and smiled, pointing her finger as if to say I got you.
I whispered my thanks.
After dinner, Pong asked me and my parents if he could take me out for a walk around the village with Rocky, just like old times.
When we parted for the night, he asked me to turn on my walkie talkie. There he bid, "Good night, R. Thanks for the stroll."
"Good night din. Pong?"
"Question."
"What?"
"Since nanliligaw ka, meaning ba nun pa-cheesy na tayo ng pa-cheesy?"
He laughed. "I can stop if you want me to."
"No naman. Nauubusan lang ako ng bala pabalik eh."
"Hindi naman kasi kailangan. Pero kapag may naisip ka, feel free to let me know."
"Okay. Sige good night na talaga."
Silence.
"Nandiyan ka pa?"
"You didn't say 'over'."
I giggled. "Fine! Good night, Pong. Over."
"Good night, Arra. Over and out."
I slept with a smile on my face. My heart was very, very happy.
